Method and apparatus for traverse of strand material



June 18, 1963 F. HEBBERLING 3,094,292

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE OF STRAND MATERIAL Filed Apri1' 25.1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. FRIEDRICH Heaamuua June 18, 1963 F.HEBBERLING 3,094,292

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE 0F STRAND MATERIAL Filed April 25,1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS R g-i9.

4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. F R/EDRIC'H HEBBERLl/VG ATTORNEYS F. HEBBERLINGMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE OF STRAND MATERIAL TlME June 18, 1963Filed April 25. 1960 fig-i 3,094,292 METHOD AND.- APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSEOF STRAND MATERIAL Filed April 25, 1960 June 18, 1963 F. HEBBERLING 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Big-l Eig-J INVENTOR. FRIEDRICH HEBBE/FL/A/G Y M AITOP/VE Y5 United States Patent Ofi ice METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTRAVERSE F STRAND MATERIAL Friedrich Hebberling, Mountain View, Calif.,assignor to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Apr. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 24,459 Claims. (Cl. 242-43) Thisinvention relates to a method and apparatus for the traverse offilamentary materials particularly for packaging or winding and moreespecially to a method and apparatus for effecting traverse offilamentary material, such as textile yarn, strand, thread or the like,during packaging or winding at high linear speeds of ten thousand ormore feet per minute to provide for improved deposition of thefilamentary material with a minimum of lateral thrust on the materialduring winding.

In the processing and packaging of filamentary materials, andparticularly those formed of glass fibers or filaments, it is essentialthat the individual convolutions or Wraps on a package be disposed inangular relation to prevent or deter adhesion or wedging of theconvolutions, conditions which impair the rapid Withdrawal or paying onor" the materials from the package during subsequent processing, oftimes resulting in breakage of the material with a consequentinterruption of processing operations.

At comparatively low winding speeds, the difficulties of effectingtraverse of the material to wind angularly arranged convolutions are notserious,but with the advent of increased linear speeds of many thousandsof feet per minute, conventional mechanical traverse methods and meansare not satisfactorily operable to traverse the material. 1

At increased speeds, the use ofmech-anicaloscillating traverse, whereinmeans engage and reciprocate the strand, is limited to comparatively lowspeeds because of the difficulties of the reversal of the filamentarymaterial at the traverse means as mass at a high rate of speed.

Such difliculties are particularly encountered in the processing orpackaging of filamentary materials formed of glass or filament-formingresins especially where the new- "ly formed filaments may be coated witha lubricant, sizing or other fluid such as water prior to winding astrand or bundle of filaments into package form. The primary traversemotion to secure deposition of .the strand lengthwise of a package is aslow, linear pretively high frequency and low amplitude and is referredto as micro traverse.

The present invention embraces a method and app-aratus adapted for highfrequency or micro traverse of filamentary materials whereby traversingfor winding or packaging of such materials may be carried on at muchhigher speeds than heretofore possible.

An object of the invention resides in a method of imparting highfrequency oscillation or micro traverse motion to a filamentary materialadvancing at any com- Patented June 18, 1963 speed and applyingsimultaneously a relatively low frequency and large amplitude or macrotraverse motion to the filamentary material as it is wound on a rotatingcollector whereby to provide a build up wherein the layers of wraps aregenerally parallel to the axis of the collectOT.

Another object of the invention resides in imparting high frequencyoscillation to a rapidly moving body of filamentary material in a mannerto establish a plurality of standing, transversal waves whereby thematerial is deposited in a particular pattern, called wind pattern.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of imparting forcesto a rapidly advancing strand or linear bundle of fibers or filamentsbeing under tension to excite the advancing strand by an oscillatingmedium to form a plurality of standing transversal waves ofcomparatively high frequency for traversing the bundle with a minimum ofwear or degradation of the fibers or filaments.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of imparting forcesto a linearly moving body of filamentary material to establish andmaintain a continuous high frequency harmonic motion of the linear bodyto traverse the linear body in continuous small strokes in the zone ofdeposition of the body in a package while the body is undergoing alarger or macro traverse stroke lengthwise of the package wherebysuccessive wraps of the linear body on the package are wound innonparallel relation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method ofoscillating a rapidly advancing tensioned .linear body to formsuccessive standing waves of high traverse strokes of lesser amplitudethan the maximum amplitude of the transversal standing waves.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of drivingan advancing tensioned linear body to establish a plurality of standingtransversal waves through contact of an oscillating medium with the bodywith a minimum of expenditure of power in maintaining continuousstanding waves of constant amplitude.

A further object of the invention resides in a method of and apparatusfor forming continuous filaments of glass and oscillating or traversinga strand of the filaments at a high frequency in winding the strand intoa package and superposing a comparatively slow precession of the strandalong the length of the package to effect a substantially larger packagethan is possible with conventional traverse methods employed with glassstrand with a minimum tendency of sloughing or overthrown ends in thepackage to provide a stable package which may be unwound for furtherprocessing at a high rate of speed and without tendency of entanglementof the con volutions of the filamentary material.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational semidiagrammatic view of an arrangementof apparatus for performing the method of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational semidiagrammatic view of the apparatusshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view illustrating one form of means forvibrating or oscillating a moving strand of filaments at high frequency;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the constructionshown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the oscillator shown in FIGURE 3illustrating the traverse movement imparted to a strand in a right-handdirection by the oscillator;

FIGURE '6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the strand insubstantially neutral position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the position of thestrand at its maximum amplitude in a left-hand direction;

FIGURE 8 is a graph illustrating an exemplary amplitude-time curve ofthe oscillation of a strand;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view illustrating a form of electrically energizableoscillator for vibrating or oscillating filamentary material;

FIGURE 10 is a side view of the oscillator shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a detail view of the moving components of the oscillatorshown in FIGURES 9 and 10;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of another form of electricallyenergizable oscillator traverse means;

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oscillator shown inFIGURE 16;

FIGURE 14 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating another form ofoscillator, and

FIGURE 15 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating still another form ofstrand oscillator.

The invention has preferred utility in the traversing filamentarymaterial advancing at a high linear speed for deposition on a tube orother collector to form a package of the material with a desirable windangle, but it is to be understood that the method and apparatus of theinvention may be employed for imparting high frequency oscillations toother linear materials for other purposes wherever the invention may befound to have utility.

The apparatus of the invention provides for imparting successivedisplacements at high frequencies in alternate transverse directions toa strand, linear body or bundle of fibers or filaments to establish inthe strand, linear body or bundle a series of successive transversalwaves such that the amplitude of the transversal waves at the region ofwinding or deposition of the strand, linear body or bundle, while lessthan the maximum amplitude. of the waves, is adequately suited forobtaining a satisfactory wind angle at higher speeds of the body orbundle than has heretofore been attained.

An oscillation of the strand or linear bundle of filaments of severalhundred cycles per second is attained by displacing the moving strand orbundle in a manner whereby comparatively little power is required toexcite a continuous series of transverse waves in advance of the regionof application of the successive impulses whereby a substantial lengthof the oscillating strand or body is continuously maintained providing areserve or storage of oscillating strand or body effective for highfrequency traverse available to lend stability at the winding zone ofthe package and to compensate for fluctuations in demand.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to the form-ofapparatus shown in FIGURES 1 through 7 adapted to carry out the methodof the invention, FIG- URES l and 2 illustrate in semidiagrammatic forman arrangement of apparatus for forming continuous filaments fromstreams of heat-softened glass, gathering the filaments in strandformation and collecting the strand into a package.

The invention is usable for oscillating linear bodies and particularlystrands or yarns of fibers or filaments formed from natural fibers,fiber-forming resins, glass or other mineral materials.

As illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, a feeder 0r bushing 10 contains asupply of heat-softened or molten material, as for example, glass orother filament-forming material, the feeder being connected with aforehearth, furnace or other supply of filament-forming material, or thefeeder may be arranged to be electrically heated to reduce pieces or abatch of material to a heatsoftened flowable or molten state. In eitheruse, the feeder is heated to maintain the glass at the proper viscosity,the feeder being provided with a plurality of orifices from which flowstreams S of the fiber-forming material which are attenuated to finecontinuous filaments 12 in the embodiment illustrated by winding thesame upon a collector or cylindrical member.

The filaments formed from the streams S are converged into a strand 14by a guide means or gathering shoe 16 supported by an arm 18. In theembodiment illustrated, the guide means 16 may be in the form of agrooved roll.

In the formation of the filaments, particularly for textile uses, it isessential to apply a coating material to the newly formed filaments suchas sizing and lubricant or water to provide a hydrodynamic film on thefilaments. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a receptacle 20 is disposedabove the gathering shoe 16 and is adapted to contain a sizing andlubricant or other material for coating the filaments.

-An applicator means includes a roller 22 journalled within thecontainer 20 and associated with a means or member 23 arranged to beengaged by the filaments by wiping contact prior to the converging ofthe filaments into a strand.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the pattern of converging filaments resembles afan shape and the applicator is disposed a sufiicient distance above theshoe so that each of the filaments maintains wiping contact with theapplicator. The container is provided with inlet and outlet pipesconnected with a supply of coating material and a suitable pump or othermeans (not shown) may be employed for establishing circulation ofcoating material into and through the receptacle 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the strand collectingarrangement is disposed a substantial distance below the gathering shoe16 to accommodate the formation of a plurality of traverse waves orundulations 24 in the strand between the gathering shoe 16 and theregion of collection of the strand into a wound package. The strandcollecting arrangement is inclusive of a frame or housing 30 whichjournally supports a mandrel or arbor 32 rotated at comparatively highspeed by suitable means, as for example, an electric motor (not shown)contained within the housing 30.

The arbor, spindle or mandrel 32 extends exteriorly of the housing 30and is of'a dimension to snugly receive a strand collector such as acollet, tubular member or sleeve 34 which is mounted upon and rotateswith the mandrel. As shown in FIGURE 2, the mandrel is rotated in aclockwise direction in the winding of the strand upon the sleeve 34.

The traverse and guiding arrangement for the strand, as illustrated inFIGURES l and 2, is inclusive of an oscillator for imparting a highfrequency low amplitude traverse to the strand referred to herein as amicro traverse and, a concomitantly operating traverse of low frequencyand high amplitude referred to as a macro traverse, the combinedtraverse motions being utilized to distribute the strand on the sleeveor collector 34.

The housing 30 encloses conventional mechanism for reciprocating ortraversing the oscillator lengthwise of the package to obtain a macromotion or macro traverse of the strand. The mechanism within the housingreciprocates a rod or shaft 40 to effect distribution of the strandlengthwise of the package. Mounted upon the 'bar 40 is a member orcasing 42 which supports the oscillator 44.

In the embodiment illustrated, the member 42 encloses a threaded-memberor lead screw 45 which is journally supported in a boss portion 46carried by member 42, the end of the threaded shaft or lead screw 45being provided with a crank 47 for manually adjusting or rotating thelead screw. The lead screw 45 cooperates with a threaded nut (not shown)contained within the casing 42.

The housing 50 of the oscillator is mounted by projections 49 associatedwith the nut carried by the lead screw and the housing 50 of theoscillator thus moved in a direction generally parallel with theadvancing or linear direction of movement of the strand 14 offilamentary material as the axis of the lead screw 45 is substantiallyparallel with the direction of movement of the strand 14.

The oscillator 44, shown in FIGURES 1 through 7, includes the housing 50land a cover portion 51 as shown in FIGURE 3. The housing and coverportions are provided with aligned bores to accommodate antifriction or'ball bearings 52, 53, 54 and 55, the pair of bearings 52 and 53journally supporting a shaft 58-, the pair of bearings 54 and 55journally supporting a shaft 60 arranged in parallelism with the shaft58. The shaft 58 is provided with a gear 62 and shaft 60 provided with agear 64 contained within a chamber 65 formed in the housing, said gearsbeing of the same size and enmeshed for simultaneous rotation at thesame speed.

The shaft 58 is driven by an electric motor 68 secure-d to the housing50 and supplied with current through leads 69. Secured to the respectiveshafts 58 and 60 are blades, vanes or strand-engaging members 70 and 72.

Each of the shafts is provided with a slot and the strandengagingmembers are snugly fitted into the slots and are secured by rivets 74 orother suitable means whereby the members rotate with the shafts withoutlost motion.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 5, the impulse members 70 and 72 of theoscillator 44 are arranged ninety degrees out of phase whereby, duringrotation of the members, the edge surfaces 76 of the memberssuccessively engage the strand 14 on opposite sides thereof to impartoscillations to the strand 14. The edge regions 76 of the members 70 and72 are rounded to minimize the drag of the edges 76 with the strand.

The strand 14 moving without oscillation would theoretically traverse anapproximately sinusoidal or harmonic path midway between the axes of theshafts 58 and 60 and normal to a plane through the axes of the shafts.The strand-engaging edges 76 of the member 70 are at equal distancesfrom the axis of the supporting shaft 58 and the edges 76 of the member72 are at equal distances from the axis of the shaft 60.

Thus, during rotation of the members 70 and 72 in the respectivedirections indicated by the arrows in FIGURES through 7, the membersengage and impart transversely directed forces at high frequency to thestrand 14 to set up or establish and maintain a series of standing waves24 as schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1.

With particular reference to FIGURE 5, it will be apparent that themember 70 engaged with the strand 14 displaces the strand approximatelysinusoidally, the blade 70 performing the displacement in the right-handdirection. FIGURE 6 illustrates a transition of engagement of members 70and 72 with the strand 14 as the strand moves transversely in aleft-hand direction and is near the neutral axis of the strand. As shownin FIGURE 6, the member 72 is engaging the strand, impartingdisplacement thereto in a left-hand direction, while the member 70 ismoving out of engagement with the strand.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the position of the members 70 and 72 whereinmember 72 has moved the strand 14 to 'its maximum position of amplitudeat the left-hand side of the neutral axis of the strand.

The strand 14 is under tension set up by the winding of the strand onthe sleeve 34 and the viscosity of the glass and that of the coatingmaterial delivered onto the filaments of the strand by the applicator 23and is therefore in a taut condition between the gathering shoe 16 andthe region of Winding the strand onto the package indicated at 33 inFIGURES 2 and 5. The winding tension is substantial as the strand isbeing wound at a comparatively high linear speed of upwards of twelvethousand or more linear feet per minute and facilitates the maintenanceof the series of transversal standing waves at comparatively highfrequencies of three hundred to six hundred oscillations per second.

To secure high frequency oscillations the motor 68 rotates the members70 and 72 at comparatively high speeds. The number and length of thewaves 24 established in the strand during winding operations aredependent in a measure upon the frequency of the forces producing thestanding waves, the winding tension and the linear speed of the strand.

In practice the gathering shoe 16, which becomes the node of theuppermost Wave of the series, is several feet above the zone of windingof the strand into a package.

By providing a substantial length of multifilament strand between thegathering shoe 16 and the winding zone and the standing waves 24 in theadvancing strand, there is provided a reservoir of strand makingavailable instantaneously a short length of strand to compensate forvariations in demand or instability in the winding zone. The waveformation which is maintained by the successive forces imparted to thestrand fosters a uniform micro travense of the strand at the package.

Through the establishment of a series of standing waves of uniformamplitude and length under the influence of the members 70 and 72 of theoscillator, the system functions in a natural mode. In the presentarrangement only a small fraction of the power usually applied withmechanical traverse mechanism is required in the establishment of themicro traverse to obtain the same wind angle. This substantial reductionin power and the reduced contact of members 70 and 72 with the strandminimizes wear and degradation of the strand. Furthermore, asatisfactory wind angle of uniform character is provided through theutilization of the standing wave method of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 7, the vanes orblades 70 and 72 of the oscillator are arranged in the region of maximumamplitude of a wave imparted to the linear body or strand. The uppernodal region of the wave in the linear body engaged by the oscillator isindicated at 73. Due to the boundary condition at the package, the nodalregions are not defined points but are regions of translation whereinthere is slight transverse movement of the strand represented by thedotted lines.

The zone of winding of the strand on the collector indicated at 33,which is approximately a line of tangency of the strand to the peripheryof the package, is at a greater distance, indicated at R, from the planeof rotation of the vanes 70 .and 72 than the distance Q from the planeof rotation of the vanes to the nodal region 73. The amplitude of thewave of the strand at the winding region 33 indicated by the dimension Tis preferably from one third to one half the maximum amplitude indicatedat I in FIGURES 5 and 7 which is substantially at the region ofengagement of the vanes 70 and 72 with the strand.

In the embodiment illustrated, the region of maximum amplitude of thestrand is at the region of engagement of the oscillator vanes with thestrand. This region of maximum amplitude is not exactly at half wavelength but the vanes 70 and 72 engage the strand at a region somewhatabove the apparent half value of the wave.

The apparent half wave length of an arbitrary wave above the oscillatoris always shorter than the apparent half wave length of an arbitrarywave below the oscillator with the strand in linear motion due to theDoppler effect.

While the number of waves or wave forms between the filament gatheringshoe and the oscillator may be varied within limits, the followingapproximate dimensions and oscillation frequency have been found toresult in a satisfactorily wound multifilament strand package at a highlinear speed:

In the embodiment illustrated eight standing transversal Waves 24 areformed by the vanes or members of the oscillator acting against thestrand forming the ninth wave of the series, the strand travelling atapproximately twelve thousand feet perminute.

The region I of maximum amplitude is approximately three quarters of aninch set up by alternate engagement of the vanes or blades 70 and 72with the strand. The dimension T represents the amplitude of the strandat the region 33 of its collection upon the package 36 and isapproximately three eighths of an inch.

The distance Q from a plane through the axes of rotation of the vanes orblades to the apparent nodal region 73 is approximately four inches andthe distance R from the said plane to the approximate winding lineindicated at 33 is approximately six and one half inches, thisdifference resulting by reason of the Doppler effect above mentioned.

The strand is oscillated by the vanes 70 and 72 at a frequency or rateof four hundred cycles per second. Thus, the amplitude dimension T atthe zone of winding of the strand on the package provides a wind anglepattern of sinusoidal shape in linear projection and causes thedeposition of the convolutions or wraps on the package under a windangle relation, superimposed on the low frequency, high amplitude motionof the macro traverse which distributes the strand lengthwise on thepackage 36.

The oscillator housing 50 being mounted upon a threaded member on thelead screw which is manually operable by rotation of the crank 47provides for adjustment of the oscillator vanes 70 and 72 in thedirection of the length of the strand.

FIGURE 8 is an amplitude-time chart illustrating the relation betweenthe time and the displacement at the region of excitation. On the chart,the time represented by A, for example, is one four hundredth of asecond, which is the lapsed time from the peak of a wave in onedirection to its maximum peak in the opposite direction. The distance oramplitude indicated at I is indicative of the maximum amplitude ofapproximately three-quarters of an inch 'of the wave form for the abovespecified exemplary conditions.

A time-displacement curve of the double blade oscillator approximates asinusoidal or plain harmonic motion sufiiciently close to attainsatisfactory angular deposition of the convolutions or wraps of thestrand at high frequency.

Another factor which must be maintained reasonably constant in order tosecure satisfactory results is the tension on the stand and consequentlythe viscosity or characteristics of the lubricant, sizing or coatingapplied to the filaments.

The filament coating material should be of a character to effectivelyintegrate and maintain the filaments of the strand in strand formationduring the high speed linear movement of the strand through the seriesof wave formations.

It is particularly important where a coating material is employed havingviscosity characteristics sensitive to temperature variations, that thetemperature of the coating material and hence its viscosity bemaintained constant at the point of its application to the filaments inorder to maintain constant the tension in the strand.

The form of mechanical oscillator shown in FIGURES 1 through 7 secures anear perfect dynamic balance as the centers of mass of the vanes 70 and72, the supporting shafts 58 and 60 and the gears 62 and 64 are at therespective axes of rotation. When an oscillator of this type is employedfor traversing a strand advancing at a linear speed of approximatelytwelve thousand feet per minute, the vanes 70 and 72 are rotated attwelve thousand revolutions per minute generating twice the frequency toestablish the requisite number of standing transversal waves in thestrand between the oscillator and the strand gathering shoe 16.

It will be apparent that when the vanes 70 and 72 of the oscillator arebrought up to speed and the series of standing waves established in thetensioned strand, minute forces are imparted to the strand alternatelyby the respective vanes as the surge set upin the strand by the standingWaves is maintained in the wave region of the strand engaged by thevanes. 'Hence a minimum of energy is required to excite and maintain thestanding waves in the strand so that there is a minimum of wear orabrasion of the strand by the engagement of the vanes therewith.

FIGURES 9 through 11 illustrate a form of electrically energizableoscillator for effecting micro traverse of a linear body or strand offibers or filaments. This form f oscillator may be referred to as ag-alvanometer type wherein the armature is oscillated at highfrequencies by electromotive forces. The oscillator constructionincludes a field core or frame formed of ferrous metal laminations, oneleg 92 of the field construction supporting and forming a core for anenergizing coil 94.

The coil 94 is supplied with direct current to establish a stationarydirect current field. The portions 95 and 96 of the field framestructure are spaced as shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10 forming pole piecesaccommodating an elongated armature 98 provided withcoils 100 adapted tobe energized by alternating current of high frequency supplied throughflexible leads or slip rings (not shown).

The end regions of the armature 98 are preferably cone shaped as shownat 101 and 102, the apex of the cone shaped ortion 101 being supportedby a bearing member 104 providing a pivot bearing for one end of thearmature. The apex of the cone shaped portion 102 is supported by aremovable frame member 106 forming a pivot bearing for the opposite endof the armature. The removable bearing member 106 is secured to theportions 95 and 96 of the field structure 90 by means of screws 108.

An end region of the armature 98 may be provided with an enlargedportion or head 110 fashioned with a step portion 112. The head 110 ofthe armature supports the hub 114 of a traverse arm 115 which isprovided with a reciprocally shaped portion for mating engagement withthe step portion 112, the hub portion 114 of the arm 115 being securedto the head 110 by screws 116. The arm 115 is fashioned at its extremitywith a slot 118 adapted to accommodate a strand or other linear body tobe oscillated or traversed by oscillations of the arm 115.

The arm is fashioned of lightweight material and with a thin central web117 to reduce its inertia to a minimum. The oscillator shown in FIGURES9 through 11 is adapted to be mounted by the nut carried by a lead screw45 as described in connection with FIGURE 1 and is arranged to betraversed lengthwise of the strand package in the manner hereinbeforedescribed in reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.

The diameter of the armature should be made as small as strength andelectromotive limitations permit in order to reduce the mass subject tooscillation. By modifying the frequency of the alternating currentsupplied to the coil 100 on the armature 98, the frequency ofoscillation of the armature 98 and arm 115 may be varied within limits,and frequencies of 400 cycles or oscillations per second or more areattainable through the use of the galvanometer type oscillator shown inFIGURES 9 through 11.

FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate a modified form of electrically energizableoscillator of the character illustratcd in FIGURES 9 through 11. In thisform the oscilflator is inclusive of metal end frames and 162, anddisposed between the end frames is a plurality of stacked ferrous metallaminations 164 providing a field structure for the oscillator. Thelaminations are configurated to provide pole pieces 166 and 168, thepole piece 166 being surrounded by a coil and the pole piece 168 beingsurrounded by a cell 172.

The coils 170 and 172 are adapted to be connected to a supply ofalternating current of high frequency. Extending lengthwise of theoscillator is a tubular armature 174 which may be a permanent magnetwhich would provide the oscillating direct current field. With this typeof armature the use of slip rings and current leads to the armature areunnecessary.

The armature is journalled in suitable bearings 17-8 carried by the endframes .160 and 162. Mechanical centering means for the armature is notrequired as the electrical field will maintain the armature in propercentered position. One end of the armature extending exteriorly of theend frame 160 is equipped with a traverse arm 180 secured by a bolt 181.The distal end of the arm is formed with a slot 182 to accommodate thestrand to be traversed. The oscillator shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 may bemounted in the same manner as in the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1.

In the operation of the oscillator shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, analternating current of high frequency supplied to the coils 170 and 172causes oscillation of the armature 174 and the arm 180 and correspondingtraverse movement of the strand moving through the slot 182 to effectthe establishment of a series of standing Waves in the strand in thesame manner as described in the form of the invention illustrated inFIGURES 1 and 2.

Another form of electrically energizable oscillator usable for strandtraverse purposes is illustrated in FIG- URE 14. In this form the frameof the oscillator 190 comprises a series of ferrous laminations 192arranged 'in the stacked relation. The laniinations are configurated toprovide a core 194 which is surrounded by a coil 196 adapted to beconnected with an alternating current of high frequency.

The laminations 192 are shaped to provide a post portion 198 to which iswelded or otherwise secured one end of a fiexible plate or leaf spring202 of magnetizable metal forming an armature. The arm or plate 202extends across and is slightly spaced from the end of the core portion194 of the field structure 190, the distal extremity of the arm beingbifurcated as shown at 204 providing a slot 206 adapted to receive thestrand to be traversed by movement of the arm 202.

In the operation of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 14, the energizationof the coil 196 by high frequency alternating current causes a highfrequency oscillation of the flexible plate or spring 202 in resonanceto eifect micro traverse of the strand moving at high linear speedthrough the slot 206 formed at the end of the spring. The oscillatorshown in FIGURE 14 may be mounted in the same manner as that showninFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 15 illustrates another form of mechanically actuated oscillatorusable as a high frequency strand traverse means. In this form a housing210 journally supports a shaft 212 which is driven at comparatively highspeed by a motor or other suitable means (not shown).

Mounted upon the-shaftis an eccentric 214. The housing or frame 210 isfashioned with a projection 216 to which is welded or otherwise secureda flexible plate or arm 220, the arm extending across and in contactwith the eccentric or cam member 214, the distal end of the arm 220being bifurcated as shown at 222 providing a slot 224 to accommodate astrand to be traversed.

The arm 220 is arranged with respect to the cam 01' eccentric member 214so that upon high speed rotation of the eccentric 214 the same will,through contact with the arm 220, cause a high speed oscillation orvibration of the arm to establish a series of standing waves in anadvancing strand moving through the slot 224. The oscillator shown inFIGURE 15 may be mounted in the same manner as the oscillator shown inFIGURE 1. In the forms of oscillating arm shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 adouble tapered leaf spring may be employed to advantage in securing highfrequency resonance.

In the use of the forms of oscillator disclosed, high frequency forcesare imparted to strand moving at high llinear speed to establish andmaintain a series of standing waves in the strand with a minimum ofphysical contact with the strand and attain a high frequency microtraverse enabling forming the filaments at higher linear speeds with aminimum of wear or degradation of the strand. The method of theinvention attains an amplitude of micro traverse to secure asatisfactory wind angle for the individual wraps or convolutions in thepackage.

It should be noted that the invention is particularly usable in theformation and packaging of a strand or bundle of continuous filamentsattenuated from streams of heat-softened glass. The method or processinvolves several variable factors and proper compatibility of thevariables is essential or desirable for satisfactory packaging and theconditions hereinbefore referred to are exemplary of one set ofoperating conditions.

The variables influencing or controlling the construction of the woundpackage are essentially interdependent. For example, when a particularattenuating speed or linear travel of strand is employed, the otherfactors such as oscillator traverse frequency, traverse amplitude, windratio and forming tension must necessarily be compatible in order toattain most efficient and proper packaging of the material.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. A method of effecting traverse in the winding of filamentary materialincluding simultaneously advancing a plurality of filaments, gatheringthe filaments into a strand, engaging the strand by an oscillator,actuating the oscillator at a frequency to excite the strand toestablish a series of standing n-ansversal waves in the strand, engagingthe excited strand with a movable surface at a region of a Wave in thestrand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, collecting theexcited strand upon the surface during its oscillation, and adjustingthe oscillator in a direction lengthwise of the strand to vary itsregion of engagement with the strand.

2. Apparatus of the character disclosed for traversing a linear bodymoving at high linear speed in the direction .of its length, guide meansengagable with the moving body, a rotatable collector arranged toreceive the linear .body, means for effecting relative movement of thecollector to establish tension in the moving linear body, a member forexciting the linear body, means for effecting rotative movement of saidmember about an axis normal to the axis of the rotatable collector, saidmember being intermittently engagable with the moving body at a regionbetween the collector and the guide means arranged to impart laterallydirected forces to the linear body at high frequency to set up a seriesof standing transversal waves in the body whereby to effect traverse ofthe linear body on the collector in a wave path, and means for adjustingthe linear body exciting member lengthwise of the linear body.

3. Apparatus for traversing a linear body during collection of the bodyin a package, in combination, a guide means engagable with the body, arotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the linearbody thereon to form a package, a high frequency oscillator engagablewith the linear body at a region between the guide means and thecollector, said oscillator being adapted to impart transverse impulsesto the linear body at high frequency to establish a series of standingtransversal waves in the linear body whereby the body is traversedrelative to the collector in an undulating path, means for adjustingsaid oscillator lengthwise of the linear body, and means for effectingreciprocatory movement of said oscillator lengthwise of the collector atcomparatively low frequency for distributing the linear body on thecollector.

4. The method of strand traverse in the winding of filamentary materialincluding advancing a strand of filaments, rotating a pair of surfacesabout parallel axes at comparatively high speeds, engaging the rotatingsurfaces alternately with the strand to excite the strand and thereby 11 establish a series of standing transversal waves in the strand,engaging the excited strand with a rotating collector at a region of awave in the strand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, andwinding the excited strand upon the collector at an amplitude less thanthe maximum amplitude of a wave.

5. The method of strand traverse in the winding of filamentary materialincluding advancing a strand of filaments, rotating a pair of surfacesabout parallel axes in opposite directions at comparatively high speeds,engaging the -strand alternately with the rotating surfaces at regionsthereof moving in the general direction of the advancing strand toexcite the strand and thereby establish a series of standing transversalwaves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a rotatingcollector at a region of a wave in the strand of less than the maximumamplitude of the wave, and winding the excited strand upon the collectorat an amplitude less than the maximum amplitude of a wave.

6. Apparatus for traversing a linear body during collection of the bodyin a package, in combination, a guide means engageable with the body, arotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the linearbody thereon to form a package, means for exciting the linear body, saidmeans including a pair of body-engaging members rotatable about spacedparallel axes, means for rotating the members at comparatively highspeed, said members being arranged to alternately engage the linear bodyto impart transverse impulses to the linear body at high frequency toestablish a series of standing transversal waves in the linear bodywhereby the body is wound on the collector in anundulating path, saidexciting means being movable relative to the package at comparativelylow frequency for distributing the linear body lengthwise of thecollector, and means for adjusting the body exciting means lengthwise ofthe linear body. I

7. Apparatus for traversing a strand during collection of the strand inapackag'e, in combination, a guide means engagable with the body, arotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the strandthereon to form a package, means for exciting the strand, said meansincluding a pair of vanes rotatable about spaced parallel axes disposednormal to the axis of rotation of the rotatable collector, means forrotating the vanes at comparatively high speed, said vanes beingarranged to alternately engage the strand to impart transverse impulsesto the strand at high frequency to establish a series of standingtransversal waves in the strand whereby the strand is wound on thecollector in an undulating path, said exciting means being reciprocablelengthwise of the package at comparatively low frequency fordistributing the strand lengthwise of the collector, and means foradjusting the strand exciting means lengthwise of the strand. 7

8. Apparatus for traversing a strand of filaments advancing at a highlinear speed, in combination, a rotatable strand collector, means forrotating the collector, a guide means engagable with the strand at aregion spaced from the collector, a strand exciting means, a support forsaid strand exciting means, a housing, a pair of parallel shaftsjournaled on said housing,'a vane mounted by each of said shafts, meansfor rotating the shafts and vanes, said vanes being disposed relative toeach other and the strand whereby rotation of the vanes'establishesalternate engagement ofthe vanes with the strand to excite the strand ata high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waveswhereby to effect deposition of the strand on the collector in anundulating path, and means for adjusting the strand exciting meansrelative to the support and lengthwise of the strand.

7 9. Apparatus for traversing a strand advancing at a high linear speed,in combination, a rotatable strand collector, means for rotating thecollector, a guide mean engagable with the strand at a region spacedfrom the collector, a strand exciting means, a support for said strandexciting means, a housing, a pair of parallel shafts journaled on saidhousing, a vane mounted by each of said shafts, said vanes beingdisposed relative to each other and the strand whereby rotation of thevanes establishes alternate engagement of the vanes with the strand toexcite the strand at a high frequency to establish a series of standingtransversal waves whereby to effect deposition of the strand on thecollector in an undulating path, means for rotating the vanes indirections whereby the regions of the vanes engaging the strand move inthe general path of movement of the strand, means for adjusting thestrand exciting means relative to the support and lengthwise of thestrand, and means for effecting reciprocatory movement of the strandexciting means lengthwise of the collector at comparatively lowfrequency for distributing the strand on the collector.

10. The method of processing "a strand of filaments includingsimultaneously advancing a plurality of filaments,

gathering the filaments into a strand, engaging the strand by anoscillator, actuating the oscillator at a sufiiciently high frequency toexcite the strand and thereby establish a series of standing transversalWaves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a rotatingcollector at a region of a wave in the strand of less than the maximumamplitude of the wave, and winding the excited strand upon the collectorat an amplitude less than the maximum amplitude of a wave.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS2,352,781 Fletcher et al. July 4, 1944 2,433,304 Stream Dec. 23, 19472,721,371 Hodkinson et al. Oct. 25, 1955 2,955,772 Case Oct. 11, 1960FOREIGN PATENTS 183,132 Great Britain July 5, 1923 518,750 Germany Feb.19, 1931 1,012,078 France Apr. 9, 1952

1. A METHOD OF EFFECTING TRAVERSE IN THE WINDING OF FILAMENTARY MATERIALINCLUDING SIMULTANEOUSLY ADAVANCING A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS, GATHERINGTHE FILAMENTS INTO A STRAND, ENGAGING THE STAND BY AN OSCILLATOR,ACTUATING THE OSCILLATOR AT A FREQUENCY TO EXCITE THE STRAND TOESTABLISH A SERIES OF STANDING TRANSVERSAL WAVES IN THE STRAND, ENGAGINGTHE EXCITED STRAND WITH A MOVABLE SURFACE AT A REGION OF A WAVE IN THESTRAND OF LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM AMPLITUDE OF THE WAVE, COLLECTING THEEXCITED STRAND UPON THE SURFACE DURING ITS OSCALLATION, AND ADJUSTINGTHE OSCILLATOR IN A DIRECTION LENGTHWISE OF THE STRAND TO VARY ITSREGION OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STRAND.